M*A*S*H (TV Series) Snap Judgement (1981) User Reviews

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 27 April 2015]

There has been a rash of thefts in the unit. One day Hawkeye receives a Polaroid Land Camera from a grateful ex-patient. After the usual selfish tussling, the boys are called to surgery. While they are gone, someone steals the camera. Klinger files a report but forgets to send it out, making recovery almost impossible. Feeling guilty, he goes underground, finding a black market group called Little Chicago. There is the camera which he purchases. However, on the way back to the MASH, he is grabbed by MP's and arrested. Hawkeye and BJ unwittingly press charges, not knowing who the "thief" is. A CID man come to investigate, and everything almost works out. But a slip of the tongue causes more grief. This sets up the next episode.

It's a steal!

[safenoe · 8/10 · 15 December 2020]

Here Hawkeye and BJ receive a prized Polaroid camera which can develop a photo in one minute. The upshot is that Klinger is caught up in an imbroglio after the Polaroid is stolen, and we're kept in suspense for part 2. It just happens this episode was broadcast during the famous era of Polaroid commercials featuring James Garner and Mariette Hartley. I'm surprised no ad company capitalized on this M*A*S*H episode by featuring Jamie Farr promoting the Polaroid with the line "It's a steal!"